This Winter We’re Thinking Sunshine!
Celebrate The Fresh Air Fund’s 138th Summer
Photo Source: http://www.freshair.org/learn-about-us
You may remember our Richmondmom.com story from August 2013 about a little 6-year old girl who became a part of a Richmond family through the Fresh Air Fund’s Summer Program. The program is all about giving children from New York an opportunity to experience a different kind of life.
Kiana’s visit to Virginia was laden with learning experiences and outdoor fun. “The girls went to a camp program during the day,” Nicole says. “They played outside all day, and Kiana learned how to swim.” Leaving the chaotic concrete jungle of New York City behind, Kiana was able to appreciate the serenity and wildlife of the country. “I took the girls to the Richmond Metro Zoo,” Nicole recalls. “My daughter is used to seeing nature, but Kiana was mesmerized by it.”
Fresh Air summers are filled with children running barefoot through the grass, gazing at star-filled skies or swimming for the first time. Join host families in and around the Central Virginia area for the 138th summer and open your heart and home to a Fresh Air child! Each summer, over 4,000 inner-city children visit suburban, rural and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada through The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program.
“Hosting provides our Fresh Air child an opportunity to experience new things, and gives our own children a chance to meet a new friend and share amazing moments together,” says Janine, a Fresh Air host. The positive impact on children’s lives is incredible through this program.
- The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877.
- Fresh Air children are boys and girls, from six to 18 years old, who live in New York City.
- Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for one or two weeks.
- Children who are reinvited by host families may continue with The Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips.
- Over 65 percent of all children are reinvited to stay with their host families, year after year.
For more information on hosting a Fresh Air child this summer, please contact Mary Beth Deutsch at 804-285-3354, 804-453-9091 or visit The Fresh Air Fund online at www.freshair.org.
